Agenda item

RESOLVED

That planning permission be GRANTED for the installation of a front entrance door and construction of steps to the side addition, together with a new entrance door in the side elevation, installation of a roof light in the front roof slopes and associated landscaping at 41 Tressillian Road SE4, in connection with the alteration and conversion to provide:

• 4, two bedroom self-contained flats.

Subject to Conditions and Informatives outlined in the report and,

A requirement that officers should:

• Amend condition 3 to add a specific requirement for details of a path to the cycle store to be submitted and approved in writing by the LPA as part of the hard landscaping details.

• Add a condition requiring the submission of details of a boundary hedge to be planted instead of the proposed timber fence indicated on the approved drawings, such details to be approved and implemented prior to first occupation of the development.   

The Planning Officer, gave an illustrative presentation recommending the grant of planning permission for the installation of a front entrance door and construction of steps to the side addition, together with a new entrance door in the side elevation, installation of a rooflight in the front roof slopes and associated landscaping at 41 Tressillian Road SE4, in connection with the alteration and conversion to provide 4, two bedroom self-contained flats.

The committee noted the report and that the main issues were:

·         Principle of Development

·         Housing

·         Urban Design and Conservation

·         Transport Impact

·         Impact on Adjoining Properties

·         Natural Environment

Questions were raised relating to the status of the 1977 and 1980 applications, amenity space, entrance design, the rooflight and, breaches of conditions.

The Officer advised that in 1977 and 1980, planning permission was granted for both applications for the alteration and conversion of the property.

It was confirmed that none of the four proposed flats would benefit from private external amenity space. Instead, a communal space would be provided within the existing garden at the rear of the property, to be used by all four flats.

The Officer also advised that it would be possible to amend condition 3 to add a specific requirement for details of a path to the cycle store to be submitted and, approved in writing by the local planning authority (LPA), as part of the hard landscaping details.

It was suggested it would be possible for Condition 6 to be amended with regard to soft landscaping. It was also advised that within the same condition, details of the management and maintenance of the landscaping for a period of five years would be submitted to and, approved in writing by the LPA prior to the first occupation of the development.

The Officer confirmed that a condition was recommended to secure the detailed design specification and materials for the proposed development, which included the proposed front entrance door. It was advised that the rooflight would not be visible from public viewpoints due to the height of the building and, position relative to the larger gable roof.

The Legal Representative advised the Committee that conditions were enforceable, with the issue of a breach of condition notice. It would also be possible to serve a maintenance notice (section 215 notice) where the condition of land or buildings adversely affected the amenity of an area.

A representative from the Brockley Society addressed the Committee, advising that residents were opposed to the proposal because of concerns related to boundary treatment, impact on conservation area, and a loss of single family dwelling flats.

Following member’s enquiries relating to boundary treatment, the representative advised Members that a good number of boundary walls were still in existence.

The Officer informed the Committee that a timber fence on the side boundary would be replaced with hedges and, a low timber fence with a gate introduced to provide access to the rear garden. It was also advised that due to the proximity to the trees which lined the boundary, the proposed fencing and hedges were considered to be preferable to a brick wall and as such, no objection was raised.

The Officer also advised the Committee that the Core Strategy policy did not allow the local authority to insist on a contribution to family housing, as only 4 units were being provided.

The SGM reiterated the Officers advice and emphasised the advice the officers had received from the tree officer had provided to Members with regard to boundary treatment by building a wall in close proximity to the mature trees. It was advised this would be detrimental, causing damage to the trees. The SGM advised Members if they were minded, an alternative condition would be possible. This would entail a condition that would require the applicant to submit an alternative boundary treatment, stipulated to be a hedge to the local authority for approval. The SGM confirmed the conditions would be worded so that the applicant would be required to be meet the specified obligations prior to the first occupation of the development.

During the discussion that followed, Members viewed a condition would be a good way to ensure the boundary treatment was in keeping with the conservation area. Another Member felt if a wall was built it should be conditioned that the materials used to build the wall would not have an impact on the trees. The SGM clarified the advice he had given Members related to providing a condition with regard to a hedge being built, as a wall went against the technical advice provided by officers to the Committee. The Legal Representative also advised Members, if a condition was worded to enable a wall to be built, the applicant would have the ability to appeal that condition.

The Committee considered the submissions made at the meeting, and

RESOLVED - unanimously

That planning permission be GRANTED for the installation of a front entrance door and construction of steps to the side addition, together with a new entrance door in the side elevation, installation of a rooflight in the front roof slopes and associated landscaping at 41 Tressillian Road SE4, in connection with the alteration and conversion to provide:

·         4, two bedroom self-contained flats.

Subject to Conditions and Informatives outlined in the report and,

A requirement that officers should:

·         Amend condition 3 to add a specific requirement for details of a path to the cycle store to be submitted and approved in writing by the LPA as part of the hard landscaping details.

·         Add a condition requiring the submission of details of a boundary hedge to be planted instead of the proposed timber fence indicated on the approved drawings, such details to be approved and implemented prior to first occupation of the development.

The meeting closed at 20.42 pm.